Copyright © 2007 Down's Syndrome Association, Nigeria, All rights reserved.
A Demonstration Of Love
By Ahaoma Kanu
It started as a story, mere words and pictures that sent an appeal to conscience
and touched the hearts of men that people from Nigeria and friends of Nigeria;
Villagers and non-
They did not gather because the person in question was a Prince that blazes forth the heavens, neither was the connection to do with their language or tribe or religious affiliation. They had never set their eyes on him but somewhere in their heart, they made space for Baby Andrew Duku to have a chance of survival in a world of striving difficulties.
The day was bright and the sky blue; the famous Lagos traffic on a regular Tuesday morning had built up so much but men, women and children gathered for Andrew despite his condition, his pain among the earlier mounting fear that he may not live long.
But by 10 a.m which was the scheduled time for the Press Conference and a presentation by the Nigeria Village Square (NVS) to Baby Andrew and the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria (DSAN), the Ogunlana Drive, Surulere resource centre of the association was filled with people which was reflective of how special and loved Baby Andrew was.
There were journalists from different media houses which included the NTA (both network and Newsline); Silverbird Television (STV); Lagos Weekend Television (LTV); Super screen; The Guardian; The Sun, Source Magazine; The Mirror; New Age; Vanguard; National Daily; Rhythm FM; FRCN; The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) etc.
They made up the number of friends and well wishers, Nigeria Village Square inclusive,
of 14-
But the 4th of March will forever remain evergreen in the memory of his clergy father, Rev. and Mrs Anthony Duku and mark a turning point for Baby Andrew, who was dressed up for the occasion in readiness to go for a life saving and changing heart surgery that would keep him alive to celebrate his second birthday come Christmas day this year and he had the people to thank for making it possible for him.
According to the National President of DSAN, Mrs. Rose Mordi, Baby Andrew's case was the first time the association have been able to effectively partner with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria both at home and in the Diaspora in a life saving venture.
She informed that DSAN had in 2004 sent one of their babies to India for a similar surgery in collaboration with the Kanu Heart Foundation and repeated the effort three years later with the support of some corporate bodies.
"This year, we have gone a step further and have been able with the effective coordination of our Media and Publicity Committee to get the press heavily involved in the appeal for funds for Baby Andrew Duku, one of our babies with a serious congenital heart defect," she said.
She disclosed that the association was indebted to the efforts of Nigerians especially the members of the Nigeria Village Square, whose response added to making it possible for Andrew to be leaving for India.
"I must express our gratitude especially to Villagers in the Nigeria Village Square
who opened up a fund for Baby Andrew's surgery and were able to raise the sum of
$6141 (N720 000) for Andrew. I must use this medium to say thank you to the Nigeria
Village Square who are being represented here today by Dr. Reuban Abati, Mr. Ebi
Bozimo, Mr. Uche Nworah, Mrs. Ronke Macaulay and Mr. Ahaoma Kanu. Our gratitude goes
to many of them abroad especially Mr. Phillip Adekunle (Big-
While recounting how the appeal fund for Baby Andrew originated, Mr. Ahaoma Kanu explained the role NVS played in some incidents like the Osamuyi Aikpitanhi murder to effect a change and also the efforts taken to realizing the targeted amount needed for the surgery.
"We at DSAN incidentally were hoping the governments of Bayelsa or Delta States would come to our aid but it was revealing to acknowledge that the Nigeria Village Square took up the challenge and delivered what can be likened today as a dream come true for Andrew and his parents."
The leader of the NVS crew, Dr. Reuben Abati, while commending the work DSAN was doing, he called on governments at all level to show more interest in the welfare of Nigerians. He described the reason for the gathering as a very touching moment that highlights the humanity we all share.
"This is a touching ceremony, brief as it is, few as we are, it reminds me strongly of the common humanity that we all share and that is what DSAN has been able to remind us of significantly that in spite of the problems we deal with on a daily basis, you can still find Nigerians who have a good heart," he said.
Abati defined what the Nigeria Village Square has done as demonstrating the beauty of the internet and the world of technology in an age of instant communication to affect the affair of Nigeria.
"It shows that in this forum are Nigerians who feel strongly for Nigeria and for one another and who are committed to the progress of the Nigerian nation and of the human being within the space that we all occupy."
Mr. Ebi Bozimo, also of NVS, captured the reason for the conference as being due to the ability of Nigerians to create a space in their hearts to help their felloe human being.
While expressing the inspirations NVS offers to many people, he looked forward to the future when Baby Andrew will look back into this moment and be inspired to help somebody else.
Mrs Musun Sofola, a staff of Chevron, who played a very major role in raising funds domestically for Andrew's surgery on seeing the report on the television, expressed her optimism on the success of the surgery and expected the safe return of Baby Andrew back to the country.
Abati, along with the other NVS members, officially presented a cheque of N720 000 made out to the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria which was the fund raised for Baby Andrew's surgery.
In a voice filled with emotion, Rev. Anthony Duku, the father of Baby Andrew, thanked each and every member of NVS as well as the numerous people that played a role in making his son's travel to India for surgery, a reality.
"I cannot thank you enough but know it that I will eternally be grateful to all of you for this show of love to me and my family," he said.
The National President of DSAN then went on to officially induct the NVS members into the association while Mrs Musun Sofola was equally inducted both into DSAN and NVS.
A surprise 60th birthday gift was presented to Mrs. Mordi by the members of DSAN before Baby Andrew, his mother and Mr. Chuks Etuka who coordinated the event left for the Murtala Mohammed Airport to board an Emirates Airline bound for India.
At the airport, a very cheerful Baby Andrew, displayed so much courage and excitement indicative of his will to survive against all odds.
Among the corporate bodies that donated towards Baby Andrew's surgery fund were First Bank PLC; Haggai Community Bank; Bank PHB; Punuka Legal Firm; Millenium Oil' African Oil; Abbey court Ltd and lots of religious bodies.
Baby Andrew will undergo corrective heart surgery at the Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences in Bengalore, India.
Ahaoma Kanu
National Daily Newspaper
29B Emina Crescent
Ikeja, Lagos State
Nigeria
+234-
hailmary_23@yahoo.com